Standing at the intersection of Selam-i Ali Efendi Caddesi and Hatmi Sokak, let’s delve into the story of the F.Hatun Camii. The exact origins of the F.Hatun Camii in Istanbul remain somewhat of a mystery. No one knows exactly who built it or when.
However, an inscription prepared by the poet Lebib Efendi suggests a significant reconstruction occurred around 1762. This tells us the F.Hatun Camii likely existed before then. It also highlights a moment of renewal in its history.
A dramatic event befell the F.Hatun Camii in 1887. A fire engulfed the structure. Amidst the chaos, people feared the loss of the inscription above the door. In a moment of quick thinking, it was moved. The inscription found a temporary home on the Selami Ali Efendi Fountain across the street. Thankfully, during a later restoration, Mustafa Salih Ersaraç ensured the inscription returned to its rightful place above the door of the F.Hatun Camii.
This single-minaret mosque has undergone significant restoration. The latest restoration concluded in 2018. It marked a new chapter for the F.Hatun Camii as it reopened for worship. The F.Hatun Camii stands as a testament to time.
There is another mosque named Sittei Hatun Camii. Sittei Hatun Camii was commissioned in the 16th century by Sitti Hatun. She was the daughter of the eighth Sheikh al-Islam Zenbilli Ali Efendi. The exact construction date of Sittei Hatun Camii is unknown. Afazade Mehmet Efendi added its minbar. He converted the mosque from a small mescid. Mehmet Efendi also had a madrasah in the mosque’s garden.
The walls of Sittei Hatun Camii are made of stone. The roof is covered with tiles. A nine-step staircase leads to the outer part of the last congregation place. The entrance to the last congregation place is through a glass- aluminum framed shoe rack. All the walls of the harim have four windows in both the lower and upper rows. The mihrab and vaaz pulpit are made of concrete. The wooden minbar and ceiling are painted with oil paint. The mihrab niche has five faces inside. The minaret’s base is made of cut stone. Its body and balcony are made of brick. The minaret cone is made of concrete. Sittei Hatun Camii has a large garden. Inside the garden, there is an imam’s residence and a simple fountain. Sitti Hatun was buried next to her father in Zeyrekbaşı.
There is also the Bülbüldere Fevziye Hatun Camii on Cumhuriyet Caddesi in Üsküdar. According to the inscription, it was built in 1882 by someone named Yusuf with the help of philanthropists. Fevziye Hatun endowed the land for the mosque. Because the mosque was surrounded by forests, it was named Bülbüldere. In 1991, two philanthropists added an extra section to it.
Though its complete history remains elusive, the F.Hatun Camii continues to serve its community. Its story is woven into the fabric of Istanbul. It is a story of faith, resilience, and architectural preservation.